(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
After a ton of speculation, questions, and rumors, Lauri Markkanen signed a massive new deal with the Utah Jazz and will remain with the team for years.
Speaking to SiriusXM NBA Radio, Sam Mitchell said that Utah Jazz executive Danny Ainge “got greedy” with his negotiations around Markkanen.
Mitchell said that Ainge wanted a huge haul in return for Markkanen but dangled him as a trade prospect for far too long.
“There’s no way you could be your best as a player when every day you hear you’re gonna get traded,” Mitchell said, claiming that Ainge was smart to finally sign Markkanen to a new deal.
Lauri Markkanen is set to be a Utah Jazz for a long time.@SamMitchellNBA tells @BGeltzNBA this is a massive weight off Lauri’s shoulders. pic.twitter.com/HyzQn6YEvO
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) August 8, 2024
Now that Markkanen has some job security, he can get back to work at rebuilding the Jazz in the seasons ahead.
He’s one of the most exciting young players in the league and there is every reason to believe the Jazz can create a strong roster around him.
Because of his skills and his youth, numerous teams would have offered a lot for Markkanen.
For example, the Golden State Warriors were keen on signing him, although they never delivered the sort of deal that made Utah happy.
Ainge kept trying, giving other teams hope of landing the 27-year-old forward.
In the end, no team was able to create a good enough package and Ainge switched gears, instead signing Markkanen to a large contract.
Ainge has long been known as someone who drives a hard bargain and doesn’t give up players without receiving a lot in return for them.
That approach didn’t work out with Markkanen but at least the Jazz ultimately secured him to a long-term deal.
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